Hey everyone,

I have just started again using Slackware 10.1, and in the near future will attempt to install the 2.6 kernel. However, until then, I would like for my video settings to work in the 2.4.29 kernel. My etc/X11/xorg.conf file shows 1024x768 as the default mode, yet everything is still in 800x600 resolution. Do I possibly need video drivers? I have an Nvidia GForce something or another, it's an onboard video chipset with my MSI motherboard. Any suggestions on how I could get my resolution to 1024x768?

Here are relevant parts of my xorg.conf file....

SubSection "extmod"
Option "omit xfree86-dga" # don't initialise the DGA extension
EndSubSection

HorizSync 31.5 - 50.0

# HorizSync 30-64 # multisync
# HorizSync 31.5, 35.2 # multiple fixed sync frequencies
# HorizSync 15-25, 30-50 # multiple ranges of sync frequencies

# VertRefresh is in Hz unless units are specified.
# VertRefresh may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY. REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.

VertRefresh 40-90

EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen 1"
Device "VESA Framebuffer"
Monitor "My Monitor"

# If your card can handle it, a higher default color depth (like 24 or 32)
# is highly recommended.

# DefaultDepth 8
# DefaultDepth 16
DefaultDepth 24
# DefaultDepth 32

# "1024x768" is also a conservative usable default resolution. If you
# have a better monitor, feel free to try resolutions such as
# "1152x864", "1280x1024", "1600x1200", and "1800x1400" (or whatever your
# card/monitor can produce)

Subsection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 32
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection

EndSection

I usually log in to the computer in console mode as root and run this command

X -configure

It will bring the x server down so you can't run the command with x running. It will generate the file /root/xorg.conf.new

Usually a couple of tweaks to that file will have everything running properly.

Okay, so I ran that....but the resolution is still off, and the modes still says 1024x768. Any further instruction?

Try using "nv" as Driver which is Xorg's Nvidia module.
Also try removing the other modes and leave only the mode you want, like: Modes "1024x768" and check the horizontal sync and vertical refresh (you should be able to find these values on the web).

Editing xorg.conf and changing the horizontal sync and vertical refresh will make the change you seek. gbonvehi is right when it was suggested that you look up these values - either in the monitor's manual, or find it with a google search. You have to go up to get the resolution you want.

For example, I have a Dell M770 17" Monitor that is capable of 1280x1024. It is listed in the modes, but would not use it until I changed the values.

Horizontal sync from 31.5-50 to 31.5-70
Vertical refresh from 40-90 to 50-120. (Its maximum is 40-160)

Slackware uses the first compatible mode listed. Until you change the values, it will not use the incompatible mode.

So, I can't locate my monitor's manual, but on Google I found that the monitor has a .28 mm horizontal dot pitch and from Windows found that it runs the 1024x768 resolution with a 60 Hertz refresh rate and 96 dpi. Is this any of the info I'm looking for, and if it is, where should I place it in my xorg file? Also, if I should change the driver to nv, where should I do this?

Thanks

Where you set the module to "nv" isn't in the section of xorg.conf you posted.

If that's the original xorg.conf from Slack, you'll find a line that says
in there somewhere. Just change the "vesa" to "nv" on the Driver line. The Identifier doesn't really matter at all.

As for finding the monitor's specs and capabilities, I'd need to know the monitor's model to find out specifically.


Additionally, rather than editing your xorg.conf file, you can make a backup of xorg.conf and then run xorgconfig as root. That will create a new xorg.conf from a menu-driven script, and will allow you to choose the nvidia driver. One of the default options for monitors is a monitor that can do 1024x768@60. It's entirely possible that your monitor will do a higher refresh rate at that resolution, and that Windows simply doesn't have the right monitor driver, btw.

The monitor is an HP Pavilion mx50. The above specs were all that I could find on it. I ran X -configure as previously suggested, but I will try xorgconfig, and changing the appropriate device to "nv."

So, I ran xorgconfig, and I did not see an improvement, which may be attributed to me not knowing the proper vertical refresh rates (I chose 50-90). I don't know why 1280x1024 is listed as a possible mode, either, I chose the horizontal sync that allowed for 1024x768 at 60Hz. I will post the new xorg.conf files, I'm open to suggestions....

Section "Monitor"

Identifier "HP Pavilion mx50"

# HorizSync is in kHz unless units are specified.
# HorizSync may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY. REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.

HorizSync 31.5 - 48.5

# HorizSync 30-64 # multisync
# HorizSync 31.5, 35.2 # multiple fixed sync frequencies
# HorizSync 15-25, 30-50 # multiple ranges of sync frequencies

# VertRefresh is in Hz unless units are specified.
# VertRefresh may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY. REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.

VertRefresh 50-90

EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen 1"
Device "** NVIDIA (generic) [nv]"
Monitor "HP Pavilion mx50"
DefaultDepth 24

Subsection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "** NVIDIA (generic) [nv]"
Driver "nv"
#VideoRam 131072
# Insert Clocks lines here if appropriate
EndSection

Try setting your Default Depth lower, like 16 or even 8 until you can get the resolutions straitend out. I had the same problem on my Slack install for my laptop... after I lowered the color depth I was able to switch to the higher resolutions.

KC

You can find the monitor manual here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/m...&lang=en&cc=us

The horizontal frequency is 30-54Hz. The vertical frequency is 47-100Hz. It supports a maximum resolution of 1024x768@60, and a maximum flicker-free resolution of 800x600@85.

If you set the refresh values correctly, it will probably work fine. Failing that (and I'd suggest only after you've set them properly), you can try reducing the colour depth to 16-bit. xorgconfig, btw, is what gives you the options of setting the screen modes. When you run through it, you can choose to change the display modes and remove the 1280x1024 option.

Lastly, what kind of cable is connecting the monitor to the computer? I ask, because my monitor (Compaq P1100) uses an external cable that isn't permanently attached to the monitor. Depending on which cable I'm using, the monitor won't display what I tell it to. With my good cable, it'll go right up to the factory spec (1920x1440@75). With an older cable I have lying around, it only goes up to 1600x1200@75. (That's my normal resolution, but I prefer 85Hz). Before I threw it out, I had a signal cable that would only carry 800x600@60. It's possible, if the monitor uses an external signal cable, that your problem isn't the settings at all, but the cable.

The cable is permantly attached, I don't know the correct term for it. Plus, 1024x768 works perfectly fine in Windows. I'll make the changes you suggested.

Try this:

1. mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.old (make copy of your exsting file)
2. xorgsetup (run the setup which determines the best resolution)
3. startx (run X windows )

also increase the HorizSync and VertRefresh values; here's my values:

Interesting little tidbit, after rebooting again my resolution for some reason is suddenly correct, using the .conf file created by xorgconf. Don't really know why. But whatever works. I'll definately print this thread in case I have further problems. Thanks, guys.

I'm using a Gforce AGP FX5600 video with a HP Pavillion MX50 on ubuntu Hoary,
Just Run on root console (or use a "sudo" at each line begin)
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-org
On the video optons choose "advanced"
Support:1024-768(60Hz) or 800x600(85Hz)
Horizontal:30-54
Vertical:47-100

Finish the config, then use:
/etc/init.d/gdm stop
/etc/init.d/gdm start

and enjoy your new display mode!!!!